Winter had arrived in Westirifer.
The air carried a sharp, biting chill laced with faint moisture. When the wind picked up, it stabbed at exposed skin like countless tiny needles.
Nestled at the foot of the towering Gigori Range, Westirifer felt the cold more fiercely than most places. Yet this year, hope warmed the hearts of its people. They believed the coming three months of brutal winter would pass more bearably than ever before.
The reason? Lucifer's invention: the **Sunstone Bulb**.
This small, portable marvel not't only banished darkness from the longest nights—it also radiated gentle, steady warmth, keeping rooms comfortably temperate. Best of all, it charged itself automatically under sunlight.
The moment the prototype worked, Lucifer had ordered immediate mass production and personally taught the manufacturing process.
Thomas, along with his wives Riva, Yuri, Rebeca, Ilina, and Bekky—and his close friend Tello—took full responsibility for crafting the bulbs and distributing them across the duchy.
But they weren't alone.
Westirifer, a land rich in forges and master blacksmiths, quickly adapted. Multiple smithies began producing Sunstone Bulbs in parallel, while a network of local distributors spread them far and wide.
At only 100 copper coins each, the price was far from prohibitive.
For the first time in memory, the people of Westirifer felt genuinely content—and slowly, steadily prosperous.
Food scarcity, once a constant shadow, had been pushed back for now. Following Lucifer's decree, the ducal granaries had taken on the solemn duty of supporting every family facing hunger.
Farming in the mountains was impossible during winter; spring and summer were required. Three months of waiting was inevitable. Still, it wasn't catastrophic. No one was starving to death. Lucifer would never allow it.
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Evening had fallen.
The grand ducal court of Westirifer was packed to capacity.
Ministers, commanders, the entire squad of Yokshire Devils (the newly formed Spy Unit), Lucifer's closest family members, several respected elders, and even ordinary citizens filled every seat and corner.
But the scene felt different tonight.
The massive ducal throne—wide as a daybed, usually occupied by Mia, Amelia, or Ruby—was empty.
Instead, Lucifer sat alone in its center.
His expression was solemn, unyielding.
Ministers Noel, Dorothia, Oswald, Agnes, Cesar, and the rest stood in their usual places.
Commander Vance and Lady Commander Artemis flanked the sides.
The twenty-five Yokshire Devils—now in male forms—stood in disciplined formation near the front.
Lucifer's family sat quietly on rows of chairs behind the ministers.
Ordinary citizens occupied rows of portable wooden stools directly facing the throne.
When silence finally fell, Lucifer spoke.
"Due to certain… unavoidable circumstances, I hereby declare:
From this moment forward, Westirifer is at war with the State of Mortheval and the Church of Toxara.
As my family and citizens already know, followers of the Church of Toxara have long been forbidden in Westirifer. But recently, I received intelligence I can no longer tolerate.
After careful consideration of future events, I have decided to eradicate the Church of Toxara—both its surface operations and its deepest roots.
My dear citizens… I know my personal affairs rarely touch your daily lives, and I intend to keep it that way.
However, declaring war on a state protected by both the Purified Duchy and a kingdom is no longer a private matter.
For the first time, you may call me a tyrant—because in this, I will accept no interference from anyone.
And yes… war requires an army.
Therefore, I decree the immediate recruitment of soldiers.
Not hundreds. Not thousands.
**One hundred thousand personnel.**
For the next four days, we will recruit aggressively.
Those who enlist within these four days will undergo exclusive, intensive training under my personal commanders for one full week.
Afterward, they will become permanent soldiers of the Westirifer Duchy.
Pay: 5 silver coins per month.
Additional incentives:
- A fixed monthly ration allotment for each family
- Free medical care for all immediate family members
- Housing provided by the duchy
This is what I can offer under current conditions.
If any soldier falls in battle or skirmish, their family will receive:
- Priority employment
- Continued ration support
- And—should the family wish it—the ducal palace will assist in… replenishing lost members through conception.
I hope you will not oppose my sincere intentions."
Lucifer turned to Allen.
"Allen. Announce the recruitment throughout the duchy. It begins immediately and ends in four days.
Make the pay and incentives crystal clear.
By the end of the fourth day, I want the recruits assembled.
Take Uncle Jeff and the commanders of every Viper Guard platoon to oversee the process.
No one under 18 may enlist—for men.
For women, the minimum age is 20."
Allen bowed deeply and departed at once to carry out the proclamation.
Before he could leave the hall, however, an elderly woman—around 200 years old—rose from the citizen benches.
"Young Master… why is the age limit 18 for men but 20 for women? Isn't that unfair?"
Lucifer met her gaze respectfully.
"Grandmother… the reason is simple.
Men possess denser bones and greater innate physical strength compared to women.
I understand that men are far fewer in number than women in our world.
But I refuse to risk even a single life of Westirifer unnecessarily.
Women often mature earlier mentally and emotionally.
But when it comes to raw physical power—the kind required on the front lines—there is no question: women reach full physical maturity later.
An army must operate both strategically and physically.
That is why the eligibility differs slightly."
After addressing the citizens, Lucifer turned to his ministers—specifically those who had recently toured the duchy's borders and beyond.
"Ten of you will depart immediately.
Each group will travel to every neighboring state, county, and territory that shares a border with Westirifer.
You will be accompanied by two members of the Spy Unit and ten Viper Guards as escort.
Your mission is simple:
First, inquire whether any members of the Church of Toxara, or any religious gatherings tied to them, exist within their borders.
If yes—demand they grant us autonomy to eradicate them… or eliminate them yourselves.
If they refuse by any means… consider our relations severed.
We will then enter their territory by force, eradicate every Toxara follower, and remove their ruling family as well."
"Next: the remaining five members of the Spy Unit, along with three of my shadow daughters, will travel to the Purified Duchy accompanied by Jasper and Lady Crotivia.
Demand the current locations of Christopher and Sarah.
Demand they be handed over.
Also demand the immediate capture of all Toxara followers in their territory.
If they comply—take the captives peacefully and return.
If they refuse—decapitate the Patriarch's right-hand man on the spot.
Warn them clearly: non-compliance means the same fate awaits every member of the Purified household.
Total annihilation.
But that is for later."
"Cesar. Aleric.
You two are already familiar with the Lustbound Kingdom.
You will go there together with my wife Veronica, both of my personal commanders, and three of my shadow wives: Severina, Zyrene, and Nocturna.
Veronica's sole purpose is to deliver a resounding slap to their royal family's face.
She is pregnant—her safety is your highest priority.
Demand they surrender full rights to eradicate the Church of Toxara, including their Pope and the city of Mortheval.
If they agree—fine.
If not—also fine.
Make it clear: we came only as a formality.
If they comply, their family and kingdom may enjoy a few more years of rule.
If they refuse… we will show the Lustbound Kingdom no face.
We will begin our own rampage.
And remind them of one final thing:
Lucifer is a greedy devil.
This devil has decided to expand his territory.
If they wish to live, they will hand it over.
If not… the Kingdom of Lustbound will taste a portion of Lucifer's wrath alongside Rotveil.
We know about their shady dealings with the Remis Kingdom."
"As always—my remaining shadow daughters and shadow-wives will protect my family.
Battalions of guards will ensure the safety of my citizens.
To every neighboring state, kingdom, duchy, county—make this clear:
Lucifer demands the followers and leaders of Toxara be handed over before the arrival of the Fertility Ceremony.
Failure will bring severe consequences."
"Now—disperse.
Time to work."
With that, Lucifer rose from the throne and left the courtroom without another word, returning to his private chambers.
But while Lucifer appeared calm and detached, not everyone who heard his decree shared that composure.
Mia, Ruby, Isolde, Westeria, Amelia, Silva, Agnes, Baldwin, Godfray, Roland… all wore stunned, almost fearful expressions.
They had no idea how Lucifer's mind worked anymore.
His moves were terrifying in their precision and ruthlessness.
And his demeanor made it clear: he was in no mood for discussion or dissent.
So they chose to flow with events.
Time would reveal what came next.
The ministers assigned to lead the diplomatic convoys immediately gathered with members of the Yokshire Devil Spy Unit to coordinate their operations.